Portable wire spool holding device

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a spool holding device. The spool holding device in several embodiments includes at least two separate mechanical devices for supporting a cross bar between to vertical supports. Each mechanical device can be comprised of three primary components, two gripping elements connected by a leveraged bar support element. The leveraged bar support element can be adapted to hold a cross bar member. In several embodiments the levered bar support element has a notch for holding a cross member on one end, is connected to a gripping element on the other end and a second gripping element connected between the notch and the other gripping element. Both gripping elements are connected to leveraged bar support element in a way that allows for at least partial free rotation of each element, for example a bolt, washer and nut arrangement could be used.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application is related to and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/194,425 filed Sep. 26, 2008.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to wire spool holding devices and, more particularly, this invention relates to a wire spool holding device which can be attached to two wooden studs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior to the conception and development of the present invention, wire spools, as are generally well known in the prior art, are used to hold various types of electrical wire. Such wire spools are cumbersome, unwielding, and difficult to retrieve wire therefrom. Additionally, having a wire spool sitting on the floor of a work site can be hazardous as construction workers, electricians, carpenters, and other workers may trip over such wire spool injuring themselves or damaging the work site.

Specifically of interest to the present invention are the following: Cinker, U.S. Pat. No. 6,367,754, discloses a support for supporting items from an open stud wall or from an A-frame step ladder. The support includes a pair of spaced, parallel crossbars, and a support arm that interconnects the crossbar substantially at their centers and extends outwardly therefrom to define a supporting surface for supporting one or more spools of electrical wire.

Berousek, U.S. Pat. No. 6,634,592, discloses a portable and detachable wire and cable despooler firmly attaching to dimensional lumber at a construction site, the despooler accepting pre-wound spools of cable, flexible hose or wire, or accepting unspooled rolls of wire, flexible hose and cable on spools which are part of the invention. The despooler securely clamps onto the dimensional lumber and one or more spools are attached to T-shaped extending arms, the multiple spools of wire and cable attaching to the extending arms secured by a pin placed through the end of the extending arms, allowing for the unrolling or despooling of the wire, flexible hose or cable.

Shelton, U.S. Pat. No. 5,690,301, discloses a stud mounted reel support system for facilitating efficient spooling of wire from a wire spool by removably attaching to a conventional stud without a fastener inserted thereby elevating the wire spool off of the floor increasing the workable surface area of the floor.

Silkey, U.S. Pat. No. 4,214,718, discloses a wire reel support structure and bracket therefor which permits the user to mount a reel of electrical wire between upright members such as wooden studs. The support structure includes a pair of generally L-shaped brackets adapted to fit on and engage respective studs, with one projecting arm of the bracket being obliquely oriented and adjacent the proximal stud face; an elongated, reel-supporting pipe extends between the stud-mounted brackets and is disposed between and engages the respective oblique bracket arms and corresponding stud faces. The weight of the wire reel anchors the structure on the studs and allows the wire to be unwound from the reel as desired.

Benson, U.S. Pat. No. 4,167,255, discloses a stud grip or clamp bracket for removable mounting onto a building stud. The bracket includes a generally channel-shaped end which permits lateral positioning of the bracket toward a stud for engagement therewith. An elongate pivot arm is pivotally connected intermediate its ends to the bracket for engaging the stud such that the stud is clamped or frictionally engaged between the channel-shaped end and a contacting end of the arm. A coil of cable may be suspended from the pivot arm so that the cable may be paid out for installation in a home or building.

Tyler, U.S. Publication No. 2007/0181731 discloses a foldable reel for uncoiling electrical cable is described which includes a suspension connector, pivoting bottom frame, vertical brace maintaining the separation of the suspension connector and the bottom frame, and flexible cable roll supports extending between the distal portions of the bottom frame and the suspension connector.

Stone, U.S. Publication No. 2004/0065770, discloses a tool developed to clip on the vertical-building members (ie: studs) to facilitate dispensing of electrical wire and plastic water lines as well as provide scaffold and workbench capabilities for those trades working in building construction prior to the wallboard installation stage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a spool holding device. The spool holding device in several embodiments includes at least two separate mechanical devices for supporting a cross bar between to vertical supports. Each mechanical device can be comprised of three primary components, two gripping elements connected by a leveraged bar support element. The leveraged bar support element can be adapted to hold a cross bar member. In several embodiments the levered bar support element has a notch for holding a cross member on one end, is connected to a gripping element on the other end and a second gripping element connected between the notch and the other gripping element. Both gripping elements are connected to leveraged bar support element in a way that allows for at least partial free rotation of each element, for example a bolt, washer and nut arrangement could be used.

When used the present invention allows for the temporary support of a rod or cross bar between vertical supports. When downward force is applied to leveraged bar support element preferably at the notch, gripping elements are forced closer together until they grip a vertical support. This allows for the support of a cross member that could hold a spool of wire or other material.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide a device for use in supporting a wire spool such that such wire spool is removed from the ground thereby eliminating the possibilities of worker's tripping on such wire spool.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a convenient to use device for supporting at least one wire spool between two vertical supports such as wooden studs.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a device which includes a pair of support members for supporting a cross bar there between; such cross bar fitting through a center portion of a wire spool to support such spool and enable a user to un-spool wire there from quickly, easily, and efficiently.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a wire spool holding device releasably attachable to two supports, such as wooden studs, such wire spool holding device being portable and easy to engage with and release from such supports such that it can be used over and over again to the advantage of a user.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a wire spool holding device releasably attachable to two supports, such as wooden studs, such wire spool holding device being portable and easy to engage with a range of different sized and shaped supports such that it can be used over and over again to the advantage of a user.

In addition to the various objects and advantages of the present invention described with some degree of specificity above it should be obvious that additional objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description of the invention, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing figures and with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the present invention in use with supported spools.

FIG. 2 is a general perspective view of the components of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a close up view of the present invention gripping a vertical support.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF A PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity and understanding, identical components which have identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawing figures.

Reference is now made, more particularly, to FIGS. 1-3 which show a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Each support member 10 is designed to be temporarily securable to a vertical support 12. Each support member 10 comprises front structural shaped member 14, rear structural shaped member 16, elongated support arm 18 with notch 20 and securing means 22. Securing means 22 could be a nut and bolt type arrangement, or any securing means that allows for at least partial rotation. When front structural shaped member 14 and rear structural shaped member 16 are placed around a vertical support 12 and cross member 24 with spool 26 is placed in notch 20, front structural shaped member 14 and rear structural shaped member 16 firmly grip vertical support 12 providing off the ground storage of spool 26.

Front structural shaped member 14 and rear structural shaped member 16 are preferably shaped as channel shaped members that closely fit the dimensions of the vertical supports 12 they are engaging. Additionally, Front structural shaped member 14 and rear structural shaped member 16 could have grip enhancing means to better grip vertical support 12. Grip enhancing means could include teeth, rubber grips, texturing or any means know in the art to increase friction and grip. The grip enhancing means should be applied to the contact surfaces, surfaces that contact vertical support 12, of Front structural shaped member 14 and rear structural shaped member 16.

While a presently preferred and various alternative embodiments of the present invention have been described in sufficient detail above to enable a person skilled in the relevant art to make and use the same it should be obvious that various other adaptations and modifications can be envisioned by those persons skilled in such art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A portable wire spool holding device comprising: a. a pair of support members each support member including: i. a first structural shaped member and second structural member each manufactured from a first predetermined material and having a first predetermined size and a first predetermined shape and each being for engaging a predetermined portion of a predetermined vertical support member; ii. an elongated support arm manufactured from a second predetermined material and having a second predetermined size and a second predetermined shape, said elongated support arm being engageable with said first structural member, said second structural member and said securing means at predetermined locations, said elongated support arm including a groove member disposed at a first end thereof; b. a cross bar member manufactured from a third predetermined material and having a third predetermined size and a third predetermined shape, said cross bar member for fitting within each of said groove members of each of said support members when said support members are each engaged with predetermined vertical supports a predetermined distance apart from each other and said groove members of said support arms are substantially parallel to each other, said cross bar for supporting at least one spool of wire thereon.
 2. A portable wire spool holding device according to claim 1 wherein said first predetermined material is at least one of metal, plastic, and a combination thereof.
 3. A portable wire spool holding device according to claim 1 wherein said first predetermined material is a metal.
 4. A portable wire spool holding device according to claim 1 wherein said first predetermined material is steel.
 5. A portable wire spool holding device according to claim 1 wherein said second predetermined material is at least one of metal, plastic, and a combination thereof.
 6. A portable wire spool holding device according to claim 5 wherein said first predetermined material is a metal.
 7. A portable wire spool holding device according to claim 5 wherein said first predetermined material is steel.
 8. A portable wire spool holding device according to claim 1 wherein said third predetermined material is at least one of metal, plastic, and a combination thereof.
 9. A portable wire spool holding device according to claim 8 wherein said first predetermined material is a metal.
 10. A portable wire spool holding device according to claim 8 wherein said first predetermined material is steel.
 11. A portable wire spool holding device according to claim 1 wherein said device further includes a securing means for securing each of said first structural member and said second structural member to such respective predetermined vertical support members such that said first structural member and said second structural member each engage such predetermined portions of such predetermined vertical support members.
 12. A portable wire spool holding device according to claim 11 wherein said securing means is a nut and bolt type securing means. 